Meanwhile, the people in Judah said, "The strength of the people is giving out, and there is so much rubble that we cannot rebuild the wall."Also our enemies said, "Before they know it or see us, we will be right there among them and will kill them and put an end to the work."Then the Jews who lived near them came and told us ten times over "Wherever you turn, they will attack us" Therefore I stat...  Read More

So we rebuilt the wall till all of it reached half its height, for the people worked with all their heart. But when Sanballat, Tobiah, the Arabs, the Ammonites and the people of Ashdod heard that the repairs to Jerusalem's walls had gone ahead and that the gaps were being closed, they were very angry. They all plotted together to come and fight against Jerusalem and stir up trouble against it. But...  Read More

When Sanballat heard that we were rebuilding the wall, he became angry and was greatly incensed. He ridiculed the Jews, and in the presence of his associates and the army of Samaria, he said, "What are those feeble Jews doing? Will they restore their wall? Will they offer sacrifices? Will they finish in a day? Can they bring the stones back to life from those heaps of rubble -- burned as they are?...  Read More

Eliashib the high priest and his fellow priests went to work and rebuilt the Sheep Gate. They dedicated it and set its doors in place, building as far as the Tower of the Hundred, which they dedicated, and as far as the Tower of the Hananel.The men of Jericho built the adjoining section, and Zakkur son of Imri built next to them.The Fish Gate was rebuilt by the sons of Hassenaah. They laid its bea...  Read More

Sing to God, sing in praise of His name, extol Him who rides on the clouds; rejoice before Him -- His name is the LORD.A father to the fatherless, a defender of widows, is God in His Holy dwelling.God sets the lonely in families, He leads out the prisoners with singing; but the rebellious live in a sun-scorched land.  (Psalm 68:4-6). My heart is gripped by the very poignant things the Psalmist rev...  Read More

I also told them about the gracious hand of my God on me and what the king had said to me. They replied, "Let us start rebuilding." So they began this good work.But when Sanballat the Horonite, Tobiah the Ammonite official and Geshem the Arab heard about it, they mocked and ridiculed us. "What is it you are doing?" they asked. "Are you rebelling against the king?"I answered them by saying, "The Go...  Read More